One additional focus of research is the presence of
potentially cancer-causing viral infections in pigs that could be at
issue in
xenotransplantation studies. Researchers
want to ensure that any cross-species
therapeutic investigations will not
increase the risk of contracting viral triggers of carcinogenesis.

Increasingly the tools of modern
genetics and genomics are becoming available for
swine. This should ensure that porcine
models are firmly embedded in the future of cancer research. An active genome project will
also provide additional tools and resources to broaden
our understanding of the basic biology and offer new prospects for
translational approaches.